Root earns praise following drought-breaking Test century

England batter Joe Root won universal praise for finally breaking his drought in Australia and scoring his first Test century Down Under.

Root was in imperious touch as he helped himself to an unbeaten innings of 135 on the opening day's play of the second Test in Brisbane as England went to stumps in a strong position at 325/9.

It was a watchful Root that paced England's innings, with the No.1 ranked Test batter in the world only upping the tempo when required later in the day when reaching the magical three figures and scoring his 40th Test century.

Root shared a century partnership with Zak Crawley (76) and the England opener was full of praise for his more senior teammate.

"It was doing plenty when he first came in," Crawley said after Root arrived at the crease with England in a spot of bother at 5/2.

"He was so calm and he was so clear as well about how he wanted to go about it."

Crawley said the there had been no mention of Root's Test century drought in Australia prior to the landmark innings at the Gabba on Thursday.

"We were chuffed for him," Crawley said. "We were nervous for him for a long while before (he brought up his century). He's never mentioned it once…but I would be amazed if it wasn't in his head.

"The fact that he could put that out (of his mind) and score the hundred today just shows what a class act he is, and also how (mentally) tough he is. Everyone sees the talent, but no-one sees the inner steel he's got as well.

"It's a phenomenal knock. It has to be right up there (with his best). If you put everything into consideration, it'll be one of his best."

Root's ton draws the right-hander within one century of Australian great Ricky Ponting (41) and moves him just 11 Test centuries behind legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar.

But you wouldn't be able to tell looking at Root at stumps, with Crawley revealing the veteran had taken it all in his stride and remained focused on how the team could level the series.

"He's like his usual self – so humble," Crawley said when asked how Root was feeling in the dressing room.

"He's not trying to make too much of a deal of it, but I'm sure inside he's pretty delighted."

Australia XI: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett

England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer

Series schedule:

First Test: Perth Stadium, November 21-25 (Australia won by eight wickets)
Second Test: Gabba, December 4-8
Third Test: Adelaide Oval, December 17-21
Fourth Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fifth Test: SCG, January 4-8